SPA CEO Matthew Deaner calls on Netflix to invest in local production

30 May, 2016 by
Staff Writer

House of Cards, the first Netflix Original series.

Advertisement

Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner welcomed the announcement last week that Netflix and other video-streaming sites would be subject to European Union content quotas and investment requirements.

Similar steps need to be taken in Australia, Deaner said in a statement.

“These are big, disruptive, successful businesses that have had time to expand in the Australian market without making any significant investment in local production", he said. "It’s time they step up to the plate and contribute to new Australian film and television production."

"The participation of local commercial and public broadcasters to local production remains critical but now is the time to create a level regulatory playing field that ensures responsible and fair engagement from both local and international businesses with our sector and Australian audiences.”

"While the way audiences are watching content is changing, the fundamentals that ensure Australians are able to see themselves and their culture reflected on screens has not.“

"Creative audiovisual businesses are the drivers behind digital innovation and the broader creative economy and steps to ensure high level investment such as this as well as strong intellectual property protection will ensure that we can retain Australia’s world class talent and grow jobs and increase our economic contribution."